A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 struck off the southern coast of Alaska on Wednesday, triggering initial tsunami warnings. However, officials later confirmed there was no major threat. Tsunami concerns fade as the National Weather Service canceled the advisory.
The earthquake hit around 12:38 p.m. local time, about 50 miles south of Sand Point, Alaska. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake occurred at a shallow depth of approximately 12 miles. Shallow quakes tend to produce stronger shaking, but this one did not lead to serious damage or dangerous waves.
Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning for Alaska’s southern peninsula. Videos from Seward showed residents evacuating to higher ground after receiving alerts. The U.S. Coast Guard also moved personnel to safety at its Kodiak base but later stood down once the risk had passed.
Soon after the warning, officials downgraded it to a tsunami advisory. This meant people were advised to stay away from beaches and waterways, but no evacuation was required. The advisory was eventually canceled entirely as no large waves were expected.
Dave Snider, a tsunami warning coordinator with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, explained the situation. He said the quake’s location in shallow water helped limit the risk. “We’re not expecting to see a large inundation of water coming up on shore,” he stated.
The affected areas ranged from Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass, covering a wide stretch of the Alaska coastline. The National Weather Service in Anchorage stated that these locations could experience minor sea level changes, but there is no major danger. Anchorage, Alaska’s most populous city, was not at risk.
In addition to the main earthquake, several aftershocks were recorded near Sand Point. Earlier in the day, a smaller 5.2-magnitude quake also struck southeast of Atka Island.
Alaska lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. It’s also the site of the strongest quake in North American history — a 9.2 magnitude event in 1964.
As the situation stabilized, tsunami concerns fade, and residents returned to normal activities. The incident serves as a reminder of Alaska’s active seismic zone, but thankfully, it ended without serious impact.
